Diplomacy in overdrive as region teeters on brink of war
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks with Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir during a meeting in Islamabad. Photo: NNI
The flare-up in South Asia, triggered by India's reckless missile and drone strikes against Pakistan since May 7, has sent a wave of grave concern and anxiety across world capitals, as global leaders rush to contact Pakistani leadership to help defuse the heightened tensions.
Friday saw hectic diplomatic activity, with Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir arriving in Pakistan for talks on the escalating situation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Dar also spoke by telephone with his counterparts – David Lammy of Britain, Iwaya Takeshi of Japan, Espen Barth Eide of Norway and Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan – and briefed them on the regional situation in the wake of India's illegal and unprovoked attacks on multiple Pakistani cities.
Al-Jubeir arrived in Pakistan on a daylong visit.
According to an official handout, the Saudi minister of state called on Prime Minister Shehbaz. The meeting was also attended by Army Chief General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and others.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
He appreciated the diplomatic efforts of the Saudi government to reduce tensions in the region and establish peace in South Asia.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the long-standing relations between the two brotherly countries and thanked Saudi Arabia for its unwavering support to Pakistan in all difficult times.
Discussing the current situation in South Asia, the prime minister strongly condemned India's missile and drone attacks against Pakistan, which resulted in the martyrdom of several innocent civilians, including women and children and property damage.
"The prime minister stressed that India's unprovoked and unjustified aggression was a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and posed a serious threat to regional peace and stability," the statement said.
"The prime minister paid rich tribute to the brave forces of Pakistan, who displayed exemplary courage and bravery in defending the homeland and thwarted the nefarious designs of the enemy," it added. "He said Pakistan is fully committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The prime minister, according to the handout, said that Pakistan had the full right to take measures in self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Al-Jubeir expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of the precious lives of Pakistani citizens.
He said that Saudi Arabia was deeply concerned about the current situation in South Asia. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's call for a reduction in tensions and resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Earlier, according to a Foreign Office statement, Dar held talks with Al-Jubeir at the Foreign Ministry, which covered the "full spectrum" of bilateral relations. They also exchanged perspectives on the evolving regional situation, it added.
Dar praised Saudi Arabia's constructive diplomatic efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the time-tested and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Office stated.
Meanwhile, talking to his various counterparts, Dar apprised them of the deteriorating regional situation due to India's illegal and unprovoked attacks on several Pakistani cities. He emphasised that Pakistan had shown restraint in the face of these violations of international law and the UN Charter.
According to the Foreign Office, the deputy prime minister told the world leaders that regional peace and security were at risk because of India and stressed that the government of Pakistan was determined to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The British, Japanese, Norwegian and Azeri foreign ministers expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions and stressed the need for both sides to exercise restraint. They expressed their condolences over the deaths of civilians in Pakistan.
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